R. Kelly Charged with 11 New Counts of Sexual Abuse
R. Kelly is facing more charges.
On Thursday (May 30), an Illinois grand jury indicted the R&B superstar on 11 new charges in his sexual assault and sexual abuse case, including four new felonies that carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison, reports CNN.
The new charges include four counts of aggravated criminal sex assault, three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13 and 16, two counts of criminal sex assault by force, and two counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse, according to CBS News.
Eight of the alleged incidents occurred between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2010. The three other incidents allegedly took place between May 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010.
Kelly’s attorney says his client has been recharged in his existing case involving the same alleged victim. “These are the same conduct, just charged differently, same alleged victim, same time frame, same facts. We expect the same results,” tweeted Steve Greenberg.
#RKelly was NOT charged with a new case. He was recharged in an existing case, same alleged victim and time (a decade ago) It changes nothing
— Steve Greenberg (@SGcrimlaw) May 30, 2019
#RKelly These are the same conduct, just charged differently, same alleged victim, same time frame, same facts. We expect the same results
— Steve Greenberg (@SGcrimlaw) May 30, 2019
Prior to this, the 52-year-old singer was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He was accused of abusing four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged events.
Kelly has maintained his innocence. In March, he told “CBS This Morning” host Gayle King that the abuse allegations are lies and that he is the victim of a smear campaign. “I didn’t do this stuff,” he said during the explosive interview. “This is not me. I’m fightin’ for my fu**in’ life.”